Flexible closure for dispensers



A ril 18, 1961 D. A. JACOBSON 2,980,303

FLEXIBLE CLOSURE FOR DISPENSERS Filed March 18, 1957 IN V EN TOR. DOA 4L0 A. J4CO650/Y JilJ/i PM sums FLEXIBLE CLOSURE FOR DISPENSERS Donald A. Jacobson, 7544 Park Ave. S.,

Minneapolis 23,

Filed Mar. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 646,708

3 Claims. (Cl. 222-507) This invention relates generally to closuresfor bot tles, tubes and the like, and pertains moreparticularly to a'closure that will permit dispensing of the containers contents without first having to detach said closure or any part thereof from the container.

Although threaded caps have long been employed for sealing the openings on various types of containers, little argument exists that such closures are undesirable and inconvenient from a users point of view. When measured over a prolonged period of use, the screwing and unscrewing of a threaded cap can involve a considerable amount of time and inconvenience. Also, such a cap is frequently apt to be lost or mislaid before it is reapplied to the tube or bottle. If dropped, even though it is not then lost, it immediately becomes unsanitary and should not again be utilized where cleanliness is important. Hence, it is believed readily apparent that there is an unsatisfied need for a closure that will not possess these shortcomings.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a closure that does not involve the use of a threaded cap. More specifically, it is an aim of the invention to provide a closure of flexible material requir: ing only a simple back and forth sliding manipulation to'etfect either its opening or closing.

Another object is to provide a closure for containers that will be positive in its sealing action, thereby rendering the closure especially suitable for use in conjunction with collapsible containers such as toothpaste tubes and so called plastic squeeze bottles.

A further object is to provide a closure of unitary construction where there are no separable parts, thereby obviating the likelihood of one part becoming lost or misplaced.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closure that is inexpensive to manufacture, it being contemplated that the deformable material be a plastic such as polyethylene. Since the previously alluded to familiar squeeze bottles are made of this material, it is envisaged that the closure structure be molded as a flexible integral part of such bottles. However, it is also planned that the closure be capable of use with tubes and the like equipped with metal ends, attachment being made thereto by means of threads or serrations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closure of the foregoing character that does not require any additional squeezing action on the part of the user in dispensing fluid contents when my closure is attached to a collapsible container, such as a toothpaste or shaving cream tube.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Patented Apr. 18, 1961 Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a plastic squeeze bottle equipped with my flexible closure;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 22 of Figure 1;'.

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1 in plan, the solid lines showing the closure open and the dotted lines showing the. closure closed;

Figure 4 is a detail 'view'bf the slidable closure plate illustrating to better advantage the notched opening formed stherein, and

Figure 5 is'a modified version of the invention, this view corresponding generally .to Figure 2 but illustrating a threaded connection of the flexible closure instead of the integral connection shown in the earlier-embodiment;

Referring now in detail to Figures 1-3'of the drawing 1 the embodiment there exemplifying my'invention is illustrated as an integral molded portion of a plastic squeeze bottle 10. Such squeeze bottles have come into recent vogue, being usually formed of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. However, instead of the conven tional threaded neck at the mouth of the bottle to which a screw type cap is ordinarily attached, there is em ployed my flexible closure designated generally by the numeral 12.

This closure 12 is preferably of the same plastic material as the bottle 10 and includes an elongated neck member 14 provided with a discharge passage'16 extending longitudinally therethrough. As can be seenfrom the end view presented in Figure 3, the passage 16 is convex at the top and bottom with the neck walls forming acute apices at the sides. The inherent resiliency of the plastic material constituting the neck member 14 is such'tha't the passage lfiassumes the depicted configuration when not subjected to any closing forces, as will be referred to hereinafter.

Formed on the exterior surface of the neck member 14 is a pair of tapered ribs 18 providing inclined surfaces 19. These oppositely disposed ribs '18 diverge outwardly from the lower end or that end of the tubular neck lying adjacent the bottle 10, therefore having their greatest height located at the free or discharge end of the neck member. For a purpose soon to be made manifest these ribs 18 are provided with outwardly projecting lugs or stops 20 adjacent the discharge end of the closure 12. A slight notch or indentation 22 is formed at the base of each lug 20 for a reason also soon to be given.

Quadrantly disposed between the tapered'ribs 18 is another pair of oppositely directed ribs 24.' Close inspection of Figure 1 will reveal that these ribs 24 are provided with a slight taper that is the reverse of that imparted to the ribs 18, their height therefore being somewhat greater nearer the bottle 10. Accordingly, the ribs 24 provide what will be termed negatively inclined surfaces 25. I

Encircling the neck member 14 is a ring element 26 in the form of a flat plate having an opening 28 therein. As best 'understoodfrom Figure 4, the opening 28 is formed with a pair of oppositely issuing notches 30 into which the first pair of ribs 18 project, and a second pair of notches 32 for similarly accommodating the ribs 24. The notches 34) have base edges 34 and the notches 32 have base edges 36. The'distance between the edges 34 is quite important, for it is these edges that are relied upon to force or cam the passage 16 closed at its discharge end, as will be presently explained. The distance between the edges 36 will also be dealt with below.

in using the bottle 10 orother-container when equipped with my closure 12, attention is directed to the open position thereof pictured in Figures 1 and 2. From these two figures it will be noted that the ring element 26 has 2;- though,

; To demonstrate further the ve 7' been moved downwardly. ln this position the edges "34 c' I exert little or no closing force on the inclined surfaces 19 of the ribs 18. In other words the distance between the edges 34 is for all intents and purposes the .same as that'betwen-the inclined surfaces 19 at this point. :When

the 'ring elementi26 is mbved'upwardlyf in Figures 1*. and

thefedges '34 will bear with: progressively Lin- I creasing pressure against thesloping 'surfacesflyof these equal to For 'slightlyiess .(the plastic material: will be slightly compressible) than the distanc'e'between th'e 'm; cliried surfaces"19-:of'theiribs ls at. this end when the passage I6 is closed, thev edges will. act .to wedgeithe passage into a closed condition wheneventhermg elei ment has 'been moved to the freeendofthe neck'm'embei- .14; "L'[he' phantom outline: presented in Figure 3 i ibslsl By havingthe distance betweenthe edge's'l34- shows this closed relationship. The edges '36 of the notches: 32 should be spacedaparta distance suflicient' toiaccommodate -the..expansionl of Qthe. ribs 2,4.resulting from .the foregoing deformation.- Stated somewhat differently, the surfaces 25 of the ribs 24 will .move laterally outwardlywhen'the ribs 18' arerforcedfcloser. together; Of course; by'sliding the ring element 26 back towardthe bottle 10, the inherent resiliency ofthe plastic material constituting the. neck member l4 will re-open the 'passage-16-."' .7

. It'maybepointed out (FigureZ) that the lug 20 on each rib 18 will prevent the ring element 26 from be- ,ment26 is used to efiect the closing of discharge passage 16 by cooperating withthe appropriately respective ribs.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention could be made without" departing from the scope thereof, itis, intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.- a

It is also tobe understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover. all of the generic and specific features of theinvention herein described and allstatements of the scope ,ofthe :invention which, asa matter or language, might be said to fall therebetween. "T r I claim: 7 j. f a

1. A closure for containers; comprising; an elongated neck member offlexible, deformable material having'a passage extending longitudinally therethro'ughj a pair of tapered ribs disposed-along opposite sides of .said neck member,'said ribsdiverging outwardly from a first end of said neck member tottieoth'er end of said neck mem- *ber; and a ring :element encircling said neck. member coming inadvertently dislodged from the neck 14. f In r way the ring element '26 is held 'captive,'though free toslide between oppositee nds of the neck member 14; 7

,Yet at the same time, when .the ring element. has been moved to the free, end, the presence. of the notches .22

: ,ygilLassure that the ring-element 26' will remain-at this end. and'that the passage will consequently be forced 7 clqsedmntill the ring element isintentionallyrslid tothe having portions. thereof slidably eng'aging said iribs to thereby. force said other'endof thegne'ckrmember, into a closed position when said'ring. element is moved into l adjacency. therewith] I 2. A closure for .contamers co mprisingz an elongated neck member of'flexible,.deformablef material having a passage extending longitudinally ther'ethroughj afirst pair ofoppo'sitely. disposedribs on'the neck inember tapering outwardly toward one end of said neckmember; a second pair of. oppositely disposed ribs on said neck member intermediate. said first .pairof 'ribs tapering inwardly toend,of -,.the 'neck member adjacent thebottle 10, that is thefpositionin which: the ring eleinent appears in Figures ment with the ribs 18 and 24. T

invention,- attention-is now directed to Figure 5. Here,

ward said one.end;said firstand'sec'ond pairs of ribs being quadrantly located; with respect "to each. other; and a ring element in the form oflpa plate provided withan opening itherethrough having. quadrantly located-notches .forjthe accommodation of .said ribs, wherebyhsaid ribs will, guide :saidring elementgwhen moved ,towardsaid 7 one end of the neckmembenthe notches accommodating rsatility of the. instant insteadjofthe bottle 10, there is a collapsiblemetaltube labeled, having fa permanently attached threaded neck .6;; collar 42. 'The closure in this instance has been; de-

noted generallyi; by the numeral 44 and .includes a neck member 45.; This; modification difiers only from the previously described embodiment by virtue of its having an internally threaded end 48 cooperable' with the threads on the permanentneck 42. 1 Accordingly, where the role played by each part is the same, duplicate reference numerals have been applied. Thus, if'desired; the flexible closuree44 might be' offered as a'premium item or sold 'prisingpan elongated neckrmember of flexible and deintegral with said neck member to form inclined surfaces,

separately from the container, it then being contemplated that it'would be used for apluralityjof 'successively pur? chased containers. For instance, the closure '44 could be designed to fit'the threads now'utilized on the neck of a conventional toothpaste or shaving cream tube, and could be, rc-used for. later acquired tubes-merelyxby :unscrewing the closure 44 from thejfirstyjone. lIt will be understood that the annoyance of removingtthe ordinary screw cap is obviated, it only being necessary to. switch the closure 44 to anew tube after the contents of one the first pair oflribs being so dimensioned withrespect to said first pair of ribs'that said first pairfOfTibswill be forced inwardly in the region of said one. endfto close said one end and the notchesaccommodating the second pairor ribsbeing so dimensioned withurespect to said "second'pair of ribsthat .saidsecond pair of ribs may be spread further. into-rtheir respective notches without obstructive interference.

3.=A closure in, combination with a container comformable material having at least a pair of tapered ribs said ribsjhaving notches at an 'endfurthest from said container, and'a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, said passage; including an enlarged section adapted to-engagesaid container; and an element encompassing said neck member and adaptable to slide therealong engagingsaid inclined surfaces therebytdeforming saidneek-material at said end furthest from said contain'er and closing said passage, said element being further adapted to be held inlockedposition-by said notches.

tube has been completely used; The functioning of the closures Hand 44' is identical. 7 7 ;Thus, in one embodiment the closure12 is formed by having-neck member 14 integral. with theplastic squeeze bottle 10 and in'another embodiment the closure is formed by having neck member 46 threadedly attachable to tube 40. In both embodiments, ring ele- ReferencesCited in the filQOf this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,358 Joplin V Oct. '31, .1911 1,949,802 Lewis Mar. 6 1934 2,005,582 7 F Lewis et a1; Sept. 29, 1936 2,488,854 Crane Nov. 22,1949 1 2,555,490 Horn June 5,' 1951 2,565,826 Mahoney 1 Jan. 12,1954 

